Accra, Sept. 08,GNA – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Wednesday suspended Guinea’s membership following the seizure of power from President Alpha Conde by an elite army unit of the country last Sunday.
The regional bloc has also demanded the return of the country to constitutional order, the immediate and unconditional release of President Conde. The bloc also agreed to send a mission to Guinea on Thursday, September 9, 2021.
The decision was reached at a virtual emergency meeting convened by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS.
The Bloc, however, did not announce immediate sanctions against Guinea, but awaiting the report of the mission before taking a firm decision on the matter.
President Akufo-Addo at the opening of the meeting said the overthrow of the Guinean Head of State was regrettable and unfortunate.
He described President Conde’s overthrow as “a clear violation of our common charter of good governance in the ECOWAS Region”.
Armed soldiers, led by a former french legionnaire, Lt. Col. Mamady Doumbouya, announced on national television in Conakry the overthrow of President Conde, and the subsequent suspension of the Constitution.
The military men claimed that their action was a response to the widespread corruption in government, and endemic poverty in the West African State.
They have closed the country’s land and air border, and arrested other officials, pledging to rewrite Guinea’s constitution in consultation with its people.
The soldiers still have President Conde in detention, but have released some of the officials arrested during the power seizure.
President Condé was re-elected for a controversial third term in office amid violent protests last year.
The veteran opposition leader was first elected in 2010 in the country’s first democratic transfer of power.
Despite overseeing some economic progress, he has been accused of presiding over numerous human rights abuses and harassment of his critics.
GNA